Hannah Gardner
September 13, 2009
EDC 102H Class Representative Up until ninth grade all I had known was my town’s public school system. It was only after I convinced my mom that I wanted to go to a private high school that my eyes were truly opened to the unique opportunities a tiny college prep school could offer. With small classes, sometimes as little as three students, I learned I could excel in a way that I had not known possible. Sitting right on the water, the school grounds resembled more of a college campus than a high school. Along with this beautiful view came an expensive tuition bill and I felt that I owed it to my parents to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way - one of them being an unforgettable trip to a place called Chewonki.
At the start of my sophomore year, my class, a mere 38 kids, was required to go to Maine for a week to do team-building activities. It was the first chance I really had to bond with my classmates outside of the classroom. Throughout all the activities, such as hiking and canoeing, I realized that I was not only forming lifelong friendships with my classmates but also came to the realization that my peers saw me as a leader. I pondered these observations on the long bus ride home and decided soon thereafter that I wanted to be a student leader.
It was a week later that I was standing in front of my classmates giving my presidential speech to earn their votes. After Chewonki, I had a feeling that my classmates respected me as a leader, and their votes confirmed it. I was their new class president. Fulfilling the position of President for three consecutive years, my greatest self-realization was how much ability I had as a leader. I was able to plan events with little adult supervision, raise money for the class treasury, and work as an integral team member with other students of our class council. Leadership is a passion of mine, all stemming from my sophomore class trip.
Since it is a passion, I knew I wanted to attend the Leadership Institute once I entered college this past Fall and it was like Chewonki all over again. I was able to make friends before the school year even started and realize the opportunities my college has to offer. Although it is only the second week of school and I have not taken advantages of any leadership opportunities yet, I know I will soon enough. I will make time for leadership; I will always have time to lead.
September 13, 2009
EDC 102H
Class Representative
Up until ninth grade all I had known was my town’s public school system. It was only after I convinced my mom that I wanted to go to a private high school that my eyes were truly opened to the unique opportunities a tiny college prep school could offer. With small classes, sometimes as little as three students, I learned I could excel in a way that I had not known possible. Sitting right on the water, the school grounds resembled more of a college campus than a high school. Along with this beautiful view came an expensive tuition bill and I felt that I owed it to my parents to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way - one of them being an unforgettable trip to a place called Chewonki.
At the start of my sophomore year, my class, a mere 38 kids, was required to go to Maine for a week to do team-building activities. It was the first chance I really had to bond with my classmates outside of the classroom. Throughout all the activities, such as hiking and canoeing, I realized that I was not only forming lifelong friendships with my classmates but also came to the realization that my peers saw me as a leader. I pondered these observations on the long bus ride home and decided soon thereafter that I wanted to be a student leader.
It was a week later that I was standing in front of my classmates giving my presidential speech to earn their votes. After Chewonki, I had a feeling that my classmates respected me as a leader, and their votes confirmed it. I was their new class president. Fulfilling the position of President for three consecutive years, my greatest self-realization was how much ability I had as a leader. I was able to plan events with little adult supervision, raise money for the class treasury, and work as an integral team member with other students of our class council. Leadership is a passion of mine, all stemming from my sophomore class trip.
Since it is a passion, I knew I wanted to attend the Leadership Institute once I entered college this past Fall and it was like Chewonki all over again. I was able to make friends before the school year even started and realize the opportunities my college has to offer. Although it is only the second week of school and I have not taken advantages of any leadership opportunities yet, I know I will soon enough. I will make time for leadership; I will always have time to lead.